Paul Nicholls is completely satisfied Bravemansgame is as ready as he may be for his subsequent step into the “big boys’ league” within the King George at Kempton.
The star chaser has been aimed at the Boxing Day function ever since he beat Ahoy Senor within the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on the identical card 12 months in the past.
An spectacular show within the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in October cemented his place at the highest of the market and he’s now a normal 6/4 favorite.
The champion coach mentioned: “Bravemansgame probably deserves to be favourite as he has won this year and he has won the Kauto Star around the track and he seems to be progressing, but at the end of the day they don’t know what price they are.
“He gained at Kempton final 12 months and the monitor fits him nicely, a flat right-handed monitor. I’ve all the time thought this may be Bravemansgame’s goal ever since he gained the Kauto Star final 12 months. He has all the time been ready for it.
“It probably is his toughest test as he gone through his novice races and he has won his first race out of novice company this year. He is now into the big boys’ league in the biggest race there is over Christmas.”
Twiston-Davies in for the trip on Hitman
Nicholls has confirmed Sam Twiston-Davies will trip Hitman within the race with secure jockey Harry Cobden preferring the claims of favorite Bravemansgame.
With Twiston-Davies, a former secure jockey at Ditcheat himself, having stepped into the breach to trip Clan Des Obeaux to win the 2019 King George when Cobden rode Cyrname, connections of Hitman, a lot of whom are concerned with Clan Des Obeaux and embrace Sir Alex Ferguson, have reached out for a well-known pair of fingers.
Sam Twiston-Davies is available in for the trip on Hitman
There might be a 3rd runner from the Somerset yard within the race, a earlier winner in Frodon. His ordinary associate Bryony Frost is at present on the sidelines with a damaged collarbone. While she hopes to be match, Nicholls has nominated Lorcan Williams as her substitute if not.
Nicholls mentioned: “Harry will ride Bravemansgame, Sam Twiston-Davies will ride Hitman and Bryony will ride Frodon assuming she is fit, if not Lorcan Williams will ride Frodon. He is sitting there as a first reserve.
“Lorcan rode Hitman final season, however Sam has gained large races for Ged (Mason) and Sir Alex. Harry, at the second, would not get off Bravemansgame to get on Hitman as he has gained these Grade Ones on him and he’s very completely satisfied to trip him.
Paul Nicholls poses together with his three King George contenders Frodon, Bravemansgame and Hitman. Credit: The Jockey Club/John Hoy
“He only wouldn’t ride him if he didn’t run. Hopefully everything goes right next week and we look forward to the big day. If it is good to soft ground or soft ground it will be perfect.”
While Hitman’s class shouldn’t be doubtful, his stamina maybe is and Nicholls mentioned: “It is the unknown [going three miles], of course it is. We know Bravemansgame gets the three miles well at Kempton and he hasn’t yet, but he got the trip well at Haydock the other day and I think he is crying out for this trip.
“I believe thus far he in all probability hasn’t been man sufficient or sturdy sufficient to get the journey, however he’s ready now.”
As for Frodon, one of the most popular horses in the yard, Nicholls said: “He gained the race two years in the past, however he’s not getting any youthful.
“He was never right last season after he ran at Down Royal, but a lot of ours were not right in the spring. He got injured in the Ultima as he got jumped into.
“He had a pleasant break, got here again and gained the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton. I ran him too quickly within the Betfair Chase however we went up there to select up some prize cash.”
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